Is there an Ale Wife within you?

Learning how to brew your own beer is actually just as easy as canning your own food. Yes, the process is longer and the equipment is heavier; however, the philosophy is the same: Sanitize properly, follow the recipe, and have faith in yourself. If you're interested in learning how to brew your own beer, and, in essence become an Ale Wife (Most women once were the homebrewers of the family and brewing was actually part of the role that women fulfilled. Men went to work and women brewed the beer, cleaned house, reared children. These women were known as Ale Wives.), hunt down your local brew store and set a date to stop by. From my experience, and yes, the first visit for me was interesting as I showed up with my baby on my hip - not exactly what the brewmaster had imagined his customers being (young mothers, ha!), I learned much about brewing and the brewmaster of my local brew store was more than happy to share all of his expert knowledge with a newbie like me. Give it a shot! Who said we, mothers, can't crochet, bake, cook, exercise, drink wine, and, brew our own beer? In the words of my daughter, "Do it, Mamma!"